Teleostei (teleosts) >
Siluriformes (Catfishes) >
Pimelodidae (Long-whiskered catfishes)
Etymology: Pimelodus: Greek, pimele = fat + Greek, odous = teeth (Ref. 45335).
More on author: Kner.
Environment: milieu / climate zone / depth range / distribution range
Ecology
Freshwater; benthopelagic; pH range: 6.5 - 7.2; dH range: ? - 18. Tropical; 24°C - 25°C (Ref. 2060)
South America: Amazon, Corantijn, Essequibo, Orinoco, and Paraná River basins; also in major rivers of the Guianas.
Size / Weight / Age
Maturity: Lm ? range ? - ? cm
Max length : 38.5 cm SL male/unsexed; (Ref. 36506)
Occurs in principal river beds, in upstream parts of rivers, downstream rapids, in backwater zones or on stony bottoms of pools with dead tree trunks. Active at dusk. Piscivorous. Emits loud grumblings (Ref. 35381). Secretes toxic mucus and the wounds caused by its pectoral spines are very painful. The female can preserve spermatozoids by coating them with original maternal secretions and inserting them in the epithelium of its genital tract (Ref. 27188). The presence of sperm in the mucus of the female's genital tract is indicative of internal fertilization (Ref. 35381).
Life cycle and mating behavior
Maturity | Reproduction | Spawning | Eggs | Fecundity | Larvae
Ortega, H. and R.P. Vari, 1986. Annotated checklist of the freshwater fishes of Peru. Smithson. Contrib. Zool. (437):1-25. (Ref. 6329)
IUCN Red List Status (Ref. 130435: Version 2024-1)
Threat to humans
Traumatogenic (Ref. 27188)
Human uses
Fisheries: commercial; aquarium: commercial
Tools
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